As Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen recognised last week, there is a strong desire among Hong Kong people to preserve our city's heritage. This newspaper's survey of leading opinion-makers clearly shows the depth of that feeling.
Before the controversy over the plans to demolish the Star Ferry and adjoining Queen's piers, the sense that heritage preservation was an issue close to the hearts of people other than conservationists and historians was not so apparent. The protests for a reversal of the decision were led by younger members of the community and caught the administration off guard. But it should not be surprised that the issue quickly became not just about ferry piers but how Hong Kong treats its past and its traditions.
Our fast-disappearing past, whether buildings, ways of life or memories, are ample proof that existing protection measures are insufficient. The realisation that all was being swept away in the name of progress - in the case of the Star Ferry pier, by a road and yet another shopping mall - may well prove to be a turning point.
Our survey quantifies those feelings among some of the city's more influential people, showing they believe that having a well-defined approach towards heritage is good for Hong Kong. A majority found the government's efforts in this regard wanting.
Mr Tsang has recognised some of the administration's failings, making a promise to redouble efforts to preserve heritage part of his election campaign. In the wake of the Star Ferry protests, he announced the resumption of the stalled consultation process on ways to strengthen and broaden the preservation system.
In launching his platform last week, he admitted that the consultation process in the past had not been representative of Hong Kong people and pledged that 'while proceeding with development, we will strive to maintain the historical character of our beautiful city'. That is an important caveat, one which he has voiced on a number of occasions recently: to strike a balance between development and preservation.